SUNRISE is Award Winning Novella


This past week Romance Writers of America held their National conference in Washington DC. Industry professionals and published and aspiring authors meet, give and attend workshops, eat and drink and network. Also at this conference many chapters hold their own get togethers and some announced the winners of their annual contests. I wish I could have been there this year, but it wasn't meant to be.

The finalists for the Passionate Plume, a contest for published works of erotic romance, put on by the Passionate Ink chapter of RWA, were announced several months ago. I was entirely thrilled that my story, Sunrise, which is included in the Ellora's Cave anthology, Jewels of the Nile II, was a finalist in the novella category. I was surprised and honored to find out on Thursday night that it won!

Sunrise was one of those special stories that seemed to write itself, from the first line to the last. Maybe it was because it was written in first person, present tense, something I rarely do. But I felt as if I was channeling Caroline. As if she was telling me her story and I was simply getting it down on paper. Man, I really wish that happened more often :)

Blurb:

Caroline has been meeting Alan at sunset for months. The hot sex they’ve been enjoying started out mindless and anonymous, just the way she wanted it. Little by little, they’ve gotten to know and care for each other. Caroline fears the changes in their relationship she can’t seem to prevent.

Alan wants Caroline in his life. He sets out to seduce her with his voice, his hands, his body. He’s no longer satisfied with sex in the shadows and wants more. Can he make Caroline feel the same?


Excerpt:

He sits on the bench and pulls me between his legs. The light is at my back. I can see him, but I know I’m in the shadows. The way I like it. It seems much longer than six weeks that he’s been away.

“You cut your hair.” I comb my fingers through his short, dark strands.

He shrugs and pulls the clip from my hair. The heavy weight settles over my shoulders and down my back. The breeze picks up the golden strands and blows them across my face. He gathers my hair in his hands and pulls my head to him. His kiss is hard, bruising, punishing even. I know why and wish I could give him what he wants.

At first his lips are dry, but as we kiss they quickly moisten and we slip and slide against each other. Our whole mouths are soon involved. Tongues. Teeth. Taste. No one else kisses me the way he does. As if he would devour me if he could. As if my taste is the only thing that can sustain him through the days to come.

Or is that the way I kiss him?


In celebration of winning the Passionate Plume, I'm holding my own little contest today. One commenter today will win an autographed copy of Jewels of the Nile II. So my question today is...I've heard so many readers who have strong opinions about reading books written in the first person. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other if a story is 1st or 3rd person. How about you?

Be sure to check back tonight when I'll announce the winner...I love contests, don't you???

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

16 comments:

JACLYN said...

At first his lips are dry, but as we kiss they quickly moisten and we slip and slide against each other. Our whole mouths are soon involved. Tongues. Teeth. Taste. No one else kisses me the way he does. As if he would devour me if he could. As if my taste is the only thing that can sustain him through the days to come

THIS PARAGRAPH ALONE SENT SHIVERS THROUGH ME. NOW I WANT TO READ THE REST. YUM-M-M-M, MARVELOUS.

AS FOR THE STORIES IN THE 1ST PERSON, IF WELL WRITEN, GREAT. NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE IT AS I CAN'T WRITE IN THE FIRST PERSON. I ENVY ANYONE WHO CAN.

BUT AFTER READING ALL 13 BOOKS OF EVANOVICH'S HEROINE I ENJOYED IT. ALSO FALUKNER'S SECOND TIME AROUND WAS IN THE 1ST PERSON.

KEEP WRITING IN 1ST OR 3RD OR WHAT EVER. JUST KEEP WRITING.

JACLYN

Unknown said...

As long as POV is done well, 1st or 3rd doesn't matter. I use 3rd for contemp, 1st for erotic, but I do think that's just to keep it straight between the pennames!

Eva S said...

I used to prefer 3rd, but I've recently read some really great UF in 1st and now it doesn't matter anymore.

Carly Carson said...

Congratulations on the win!

I don't care about 1st or 3rd, though I do like to get both POVs. One thing I despise is 1st person which changes from one person to another. Too difficult.

Carly

Cameo Brown said...

As a writer and avid reader, for me the same rule applies for both to POV. Whatever POV is used just needs to work for the story. Used to hate 1st, but one of my best-sellers is in 1st and some of my most talked about shorts are in first. I only use it when I feel like the main character has an uber-strong voice or personality; otherwise, 3rd works best for me.

tigger9 said...

It doesn't matter to me either. 1st or 3rd person.
I love contests too!
lexeetoste at sbcglobal.net

Natasha Moore said...

Thanks, Jaclyn. Don't worry, I'm going to keep writing. :)

LOL, Jenna. Anything to help keep things straight.

Eva, I could never understand why some people don't like to read 1st person. I grew up on Phyllis A Whitney mysteries and she always used 1st person. Guess the key is to do it right :)

Natasha Moore said...

Hey Carly! Thanks for the congrats :) I've read a few books that alternate 1st person POVs, but I tend to get confused too.

Cameo, I think that's what it comes down to for me too. Whatever works for the story.

Hey tigger, I agree. As long as I have something to read, I don't care if it's in 1st or 3rd.

Nicole North said...

Congratulations Natasha!!!! Awesome excerpt!!!

Natasha Moore said...

Thanks, Nicole!

Natasha Moore said...

OK, guys, I'm off to bed. The winner of an autographed copy of Jewels of the Nile II is Jaclyn!! Jaclyn, please send me an e-mail to natasha@natashamoore.com and let me know your full name and snail mail addy and I'll send you out your copy. Congrats!

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

I love first person! And I think those books that just pour out of us are the best. I wrote Oh My God like that...and it's in first person. It was fun to channel a Greek God, and the naughtiest one of them all--Dionysus! LOL That story was nominated for an Eppie.

I'd love to read yours and since I buy almost every caveman antho, I probably will!

Ash

Liane Gentry Skye said...

Mmmm, I love your excerpt! I'm not at all suprised you won. As far as contests go...I guess I should break down and enter one someday.

Can't wait to read the whole novella!!!!

Anonymous said...

Liane has intrigued me as an author since I first read her work. She has an amazing personality and a beautiful way with words. Liane has the passion and dedication it takes to deliver a great story time and time again. :D

WOOT!!! and BRAVO!!!

Hugs,

Jae El

Carol Ericson said...

Congrats, Natasha! It's funny, most of the romance novels I read as a teenager were in first person. When I wrote my first book (firmly under the bed now), I naturally wrote in 1st person. I think it really works for erotic romance too! And of course, weren't most chick lit books in 1st person?

Natasha Moore said...

Hey Ash! Thanks for stopping by. Since I read just about everything you've written, we're probably about even :)

Hi Liane! Try a contest or two. If you don't final, no big deal, but when you do - it's great. And besides, you may gain a few new readers from those who judge the contest :)

Jae, I agree. Liane is the best!!